This book takes the reader on a journey - a literal one from Germany to Africa, South America and the Arctic but it is also the journey of the relationship between Olga, raised in poverty by a harsh grandmother and Herbert, an aristocrat. In the background but very significant to the story, is the political journey of Germany through the turbulence of the twentieth century. The cover is what drew my attention to this book. After noticing the author, I decided it was about time I read Schlink.

A story about love across time and space and about a woman determined to live her own life in spite of the constraints imposed by culture and society. As a Young girl born in poverty Olga becomes entangled with a Young aristocrat Herbert whose family rejects her and who is obsessed with pursuing his own life of exploration and adventure. Even though she has a great intellect Olga cannot pursue her dreams but must accept her position as a teacher. This novel examines her life as she must make her way through the world as a single mother. The most poignant part of the novel is the third--Olga's life is revealed through letters to Herbert.
Beautifully written with great detail. Olga's letters reveal the beauty and sometimes the despair of living a solitary life without the man she loves.
Recommended for those who enjoy reading about strong female characters.

Parts of this book are wonderful. Parts of it are so forgettable that I feel like I didn't even listen to those sections. As a whole, the book feels disjointed.

The early chapters, about Olga as a young girl and teen, when she and Herbert were falling in love, were absolutely beautiful and my favorite part of the book. I think that I'll hold the image of them sitting in the woods, Olga trying to study and Herbert talking, in my head for the rest of my life.

I also loved the third section, which is made up of Olga's letters to Herbert. Actually seeing the inside of Olga's mind after seeing her outer life for so long was excellent. I loved reading about her passion and opinions and rich inner world.

However, the third-person sections while she was an adult were just okay. I don't really understand the point of having the second section narrated by the neighbor child; why not stick with the narration from the first section? The time jumps also confused me.

Overall, I enjoyed parts of the book and was unmoved by other sections. The narrator did a very nice job of reading; her voice suited the story.

***Thanks to Netgalley for an e-audio copy***

This was a sweet but heart breaking book about a woman making her way through life despite the men that she loves. Olga is definitely ahead of her time but still manages to make the best of everything. This is going to be a book club hit with much to discuss and lots to love.

Is there an author you’ll read always? For me, it’s Berhnard Schlink. I first discovered him through The Reader a couple of years before the movie and have read nearly every book since.

I don’t love his works quite as much or in the same ways as I used to, I think because I have higher expextations of characters and representation these days, but I still enjoy his writing and he always has excellent translators.

Olga is a pretty simple story of a girl who is just a bit out of place in her world, the man she falls in love with (not worth her affection if you ask me), her life without him, and the legacy she leaves behind in letters.

Not my most fav of Schlink’s works but still good. I liked Olga, her determination to make her own way and live life on her terms in a time and place where that was difficult for women. She is also a progressive character during a difficult time, which was cool.

I switched between the print and audio of this one and enjoyed both equally. I always love the melodic prose of his works in print and the narrator did an excellent job on the audio.